CLOSER CALL: Should the Mets consider bringing back Francisco Rodriguez — better known as K-Rod, or the only major leaguer arrested at Citi Field — as closer? Ken Davidoff says it’s the team’s best option to upgrade the bullpen. Photo: Charles Wenzelberg

CLOSER CALL: Should the Mets consider bringing back Francisco Rodriguez—better known as K-Rod, or the only major leaguer arrested at Citi Field (above)—as closer? Ken Davidoff says it’s the team’s best option to upgrade the bullpen. (AP)

CLOSER CALL: Should the Mets consider bringing back Francisco Rodriguez—better known as K-Rod, or the only major leaguer arrested at Citi Field (above)—as closer? Ken Davidoff says it’s the team’s best option to upgrade the bullpen. (AP)

CLOSER CALL: Should the Mets consider bringing back Francisco Rodriguez — better known as K-Rod, or the only major leaguer arrested at Citi Field (inset) — as closer? Ken Davidoff says it’s the team’s best option to upgrade the bullpen. (
)

The Mets want to upgrade their bullpen, and the Brewers’ Francisco Rodriguez is on their list of targets, a person familiar with the club’s thinking said yesterday.

Yes, Francisco Rodriguez. As in “K-Rod.” The only major league player, so far, to get arrested at Citi Field.

It’s not a crazy idea at all. In fact, you could make a strong case Rodriguez is the best of all bullpen trade possibilities out there for the Mets.

Before we explain that, however, some facts: The Brewers (37-42) sat in fourth place in the NL Central after a 5-4 win last night over the Marlins. Milwaukee is seven games behind division leader Cincinnati (which beat the Dodgers last night). The Brewers are six games back in the wild-card race.

This past week, Milwaukee owner Mark Attanasio met with the team’s front office, according to an industry source, and they went over the risks and rewards of selling and not selling, with Zack Greinke a considerably more lucrative chip than K-Rod. The Brewers likely won’t act until after the All-Star break; they start a four-game home series with the Marlins tonight and visit the Astros for the weekend. Attanasio, not one to give up easily, will make the final call.

If the Brewers go into sell mode, though, here’s why K-Rod would be an excellent fit with the Mets — as their closer:

1) The New York factor.

He might not go down as a great New York success, but K-Rod wouldn’t be surprised by anything in the Mets’ universe. He behaved markedly better last year, upon returning from his 2010 arrest for attempted assault of his children’s grandfather at Citi, and he enjoyed a positive working relationship with Terry Collins. San Diego’s Huston Street, Houston’s Brett Myers and Oakland’s Grant Balfour all lack New York experience.

2) The asking price.

Since K-Rod entered last night’s action with a mediocre 4.11 ERA as a Milwaukee setup man — and since he’s making $8 million this season — the Brewers can’t ask for a haul in return; furthermore, the acquiring team won’t get compensatory draft picks if Rodriguez signs elsewhere as a free agent. Given their desires to a) protect their farm system, and b) show fans that they can now spend money, the Mets should take on as much of K-Rod’s money as is necessary. It shouldn’t require any bona fide prospects to complete the deal if enough (all?) money is picked up.

3) The upside.

No, Rodriguez hasn’t been great this season. Yet his velocity has increased from last year — his fastball was averaging 91.4 mph compared to last year’s 90.3, according to FanGraphs — and he has been unlucky on his home runs per flyball rate (13.3 percent, as compared to his career rate of 8.2 percent). It also would be worth wagering K-Rod, who has been setting up for Milwaukee closer John Axford since the Mets traded him to the Brewers last July, would improve upon returning to his closer role.

What about Frank Francisco? He’s injured right now, but if and when he comes back, tell him that for the good of the team, he has to pitch the eighth inning and set up for K-Rod, who owns the superior resume. Rodriguez would sign elsewhere in the offseason, and Francisco could take over once again as closer.

The risks are minimal. The Mets bullpen can’t be much worse than it has been so far, and as long as the Mets don’t surrender any quality prospects, they wouldn’t have to worry about long-term ramifications. K-Rod could view the reunion as an audition for teams that need a 2013 closer.

So if you’re a Mets fan, root for the Marlins and Astros this week, to push the Brewers into sell mode. Then root for one of the less likely sequels in recent baseball history to become a reality.